TL;DR
- Worlds 2021 features 22 teams competing across three distinct stages in Reykjavik
- Play-in stage begins October 5 with 10 teams vying for 4 group stage spots
- Group stage runs October 11-18 with 16 teams in four double round-robin groups
- Knockout stage spans October 22 to November 6 with single-elimination best-of-five matches
- Vietnamese team absence creates unique competitive landscape and qualification dynamics
Riot Games has officially unveiled the competitive framework for the upcoming League of Legends World Championship, scheduled to commence in early October. This premier esports event brings together the finest professional teams from across the globe to determine the season’s ultimate champion.
The entire tournament will unfold in Reykjavik, Iceland, maintaining the traditional three-phase structure of Play-ins, Group Stage, and Knockouts. However, this edition introduces a significant format adjustment with only 22 participating organizations rather than the customary 24-team lineup. This reduction stems from travel restriction complications preventing Vietnamese squads from attending, creating a distinctive competitive environment compared to previous championships.
Here’s a quick rundown of the #Worlds2021 tournament format. Watch live Oct 5th – Nov 6th (PT) at https://t.co/lh1tk7wEe0 pic.twitter.com/vbJWR91dmX
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 15, 2021
Play-In Stage
The initial qualification phase features 10 competing organizations, predominantly representing the game’s emerging competitive regions. These contenders will be divided into two separate groups of five teams each, with strategic seeding placing two squads from Pool 1 alongside three from Pool 2 in every group configuration.
Pool 1:
- LNG Esports (LPL)
- Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
- Cloud9 (LCS)
- Beyond Gaming (PCS)
Pool 2:
- RED Candids (CBLOL)
- Unicorns of Love (LCL)
- DetonatioN FocusMe (LJL)
- Infinity Esports (LLA)
- PEACE (LCO)
- Galatasaray Esports (TCL)
The group-winning team from each bracket automatically advances to the main event stage. Meanwhile, organizations finishing second through fourth in their respective groups will enter a secondary best-of-five elimination bracket to secure the remaining two advancement positions. The play-in competition commences on October 5 and concludes its qualification process on October 9.
Group Stage
Joining the four successful qualifiers from the play-in round, twelve additional elite organizations enter the championship at this critical juncture. Four distinct groups containing four teams each will compete in an intensive double round-robin format to determine knockout stage participants. Each bracket will see its top-two performing squads progress further, where group champions will subsequently face runner-up teams from different brackets in the elimination phase. The twelve direct entrants are strategically distributed across three seeding tiers.
Pool 1:
- EDward Gaming (LPL)
- DWG KIA (LCK)
- MAD Lions (LEC)
- PSG Talon (PCS)
Pool 2:
- FunPlus Phoenix (LPL)
- Gen.G (LCK)
- Fnatic (LEC)
- 100 Thieves (LCS)
Pool 3:
- Royal Never Give Up (LPL)
- T1 (LCK)
- Rogue (LEC)
- Team Liquid (LCS)
The group stage competition launches on October 11 and completes its scheduled matches on October 18, setting the stage for the championship’s decisive final phase.
Knockout Stage
The culminating championship phase features the eight surviving elite teams competing in a high-stakes single-elimination bracket. All matches employ a rigorous best-of-five game format throughout the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand final. The elimination rounds begin on October 22, culminating in the world championship-deciding grand final on Saturday, November 6, where one organization will claim the coveted Summoner’s Cup.
For optimal viewing experience, focus on key regional matchups between LPL and LCK representatives, as these regions have dominated recent international competitions. The absence of Vietnamese teams creates unexpected qualification opportunities for other emerging regions, potentially leading to surprising underdog performances. Consider prioritizing viewership during weekend matches when the most critical advancement-deciding games typically occur.
The condensed 22-team format increases the competitive intensity throughout each stage, as fewer advancement slots create heightened stakes for every match. Understanding the strategic team compositions and regional playstyles will enhance your appreciation of the strategic depth displayed by competing organizations.
Action Checklist
- Mark October 5-9 for play-in stage to watch emerging regions compete for main event spots
- Study team pools and regional strengths using our comprehensive competitive guide
- Focus viewing schedule on October 11-18 group stage for critical advancement matches
- Prepare for knockout intensity starting October 22, noting best-of-five format demands different strategic approaches
- Analyze team composition strategies and regional meta differences
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Riot announces 2021 World Championship format Complete guide to League of Legends Worlds 2021 format, schedule, teams and tournament structure